Wearing Paul & Joe Lipstick C in Meow
For all the grumbling I do about Tabs’ diva behavior, I have to say, he can be quite the charmer. To the best of my knowledge, since I don’t travel with him when he’s away modeling on location, except for the Edward Scissorpaws Incident, for which he’s still on probation, he’s never raised a paw against a human.
Always quick to show love, he’s the mellowest, most affectionate cat I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing.
(And he must know we’re talking about him because he just rubbed his chin against my leg, aww!)
I’ve been hoping that Paul & Joe’s lovely new Lipstick Cs (with the kitty paw pattern on the tubes) would evoke that same easy, breezy, cool cat style. The three $20 kitty-themed matte lipsticks were recently released with the limited edition Collection Sparkles launch.
Pinkish beige Sex Kitten, pinkish brown Meow and coral Catwalk look so cute, casual and comfy in their tubes that, I have to admit, I had dangerously high hopes. I expected all three to climb my metaphorical cat tower and make their way into my regular rotation of lipsticks. I mean, what could be breezier than a simple nude lip?
Obviously, the packaging’s off the chain. 🙂 I love the wee paw prints scaling up the length of each bullet and how the graphic designs on the tops and bottoms of the packaging line up perfectly.
Lipstick C in Catwalk, Meow and Sex Kitten
Lipstick C in Catwalk, Meow and Sex Kitten
Swatches from the left: Sex Kitten, Meow and Catwalk
Wearing Paul & Joe Lipstick C in Catwalk
Wearing Paul & Joe Lipstick C in Sex Kitten
And then there’s the violet flavor and fragrance, which reminds me of the violet hard candies my granny used to get me from the Asian store by our house when I was a kid.
Based on all outward appearances and the sniff test, I was set to fall madly in love with these…
Then, disaster struck!
Well, not disaster, but moderate disappointment.
Within minutes of application, all three colors begin to separate, seeking out any flakes on my lips and settling into my lip lines (NOOOO!). The resulting patchy, uneven coverage practically breaks my heart.
By patting down a very thin layer of these, dabbing the tubes lightly on my lips, I think they look pretty as a stain (with a wear time of about two hours), but when I apply any more product than that, their downsides show.
They also feel thick and heavy on my lips, and my perpetually parched pout craves much more moisture than it derives from these. In fact, they seem a little drying.
With brands like MAC and NARS raising the bar with cutting-edge matte lipstick formulas over the past few years, I guess I sometimes forget that matte is still something many brands have yet to master.
I’ll be there for you, though, Paul & Joe, if you decide to give it another try. Please do. And please don’t forget the kitties. 🙂
PRICE: $20 each
AVAILABILITY: Available now at Paul & Joe counters and online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: C
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S.
For more on Paul & Joe’s Kitten Collection and Collection Sparkles, check out…
- Be Catwalk Ready Right Meow With Paul & Joe Spring 2012
- This Kittycat Sparkles in Purple, Pink and Beige: The Paul & Joe Face & Eye Color Palette in Kittycat
- Now There’s a Smooth Cat: The Paul & Joe Face & Eye Color Palette in Siamese Please
- The Paul & Joe Face & Eye Color Palette in Purr-Fect Is Perfect for Soft Green Smokey Eyes
- It Was Love at First Blush for These Kittens: The New Kitten Collection Blusher Sticks From Paul & Joe
- I’m Still Fawning Over the Paul & Joe Kitten Collection, Today With a Twist on an Ombrè Manicure
- They Left Their Paw Prints on My Heart, But I’m Still Gonna Knead a Little More From Paul & Joe’s New Lipstick Cs
- Paul & Joe Waterproof Gel Eye Liner: Water Doesn’t Bother This Kitty Cat
Emi at Project Swatch says
Oh this is so sad! I was all ready to buy one of these, but I’ll have to skip it based on your review – I just don’t have room in my budget (or vanity!) for a product that performs that poorly.
Joyce says
Although the formula might not be the best in the market, I still think it would be nice to buy them just to admire them. The packaging is too cute for me to wear! =)
Marian says
I just can’t buy any of this collection, thought I want it all. It would just be a waste of money because I would never, ever use it! It’s just too cute.
mn says
Too bad because the paw prints are so cute.
Tracy says
Well, that’s so sad! They looked so cute!
Sunny @ Mostly Sunny says
Awww too bad! I really dig the paw prints!
Nina says
awwww it sucks that they arent as great … they are so adorable that i had high hopes!
Rita says
I have the Catwalk lipstick, and yes, it is not the best of the Paul & Joe lipsticks. I have about 5 or 6 P & J lipsticks, and they all are so different. Like the lipstick from last fall, Gotham, which is creamy, pigmented, soo good on lips, but these are not!?
Dominique says
i was going to buy Paul & Joes lipstick after seeing it in my monthly mag, because i thought it look so cute and the packaging is lovely, but after reading your review i dont think i will now! gutted
x
53 says
The first time i used a Paul and Joe lipstick, my sensitive lips couldnt take it; my lips started to bleed at one spot.
Then I tried it again another day, it didnt bleed at all. haha drastic reaction ever from a lip product but at least it is better than flaking out and settling into lip lines which most lipsticks do to me! sighs.
Jackie says
oh boo! i was so anticipating purchasing these because of how cute they were(and i’m such a sucker for p&j packaging) maybe i’ll just try one, now i just have to try and pick which color.
Jenn says
I really do think that these lipsticks were meant to be novelty keepsake items– I don’t think I could ever bring myself to swatch those cute paw prints away! 🙂